Today’s Plan:
- Expected Grades: Reflection on Labor-Based Grading
- Constructing a Linkedin Profile
- Developing a Web/Portfolio
- Final Resume and Cover Letters
Reflection on Labor-Based Grading
This semester, I have been participating in a Teaching for Inclusion and Equity program and have submitted an article on anti-racist, labor-based assessment for publication. This class was my second attempt at a completely labor-based system, and I have mixed feelings regarding the results. On the one hand, I should say that the quality of the job reports and the community engagement materials were both quite high. (You would know if they weren’t, since I would have re-written whatever you turned in and given you a C for making me do that).
My central argument for labor-based grading is to create an environment that is explicitly less stressful. I told you on the first day, when I introduced it, that if you just hand everything in, and it looks like you tried, then you would earn a B on the course, and I laid out the criteria for doing extra work and earning an A. The “extra” experiences are meant to be ones that almost act as mentoring and professionalization activities–what some might identify as the “hidden curriculum” of a university. Often the academic success of white/encultured/affluent students over that of non-white/first-generation/less-fortunate students concerns awareness of and willingness to use these resources.
But, to my surprise, very few people took advantage of these additional opportunities. So, um, why?
Let me share a reflection I wrote for my TIE program yesterday and we can talk.
Building a Linkedin Profile
Let’s just say that this video by Professor Heather Austin provides perspective.
- Basics: Get a Headshot
- Slogan: Max of 300 words
- About: Split into Summary (Who you are, who you help, how you help them) and the Expertise (block of resume-style skills). Keep paragraphs short.
- Skills: Pick the “big” three. Then a handful more.
- Experience: Be descriptive
Resources:
- Heather Austin, Linkedin for Beginners Guide
- Adding symbols to a linkedin profile (it is simply copy/paste)
Developing a Web Portfolio
Final Job Materials
I will be reviewing cover letter drafts tomorrow morning. After that, I will open up a Canvas assignment for revised materials (resumes and cover letters) due next Friday.
